"Beijing International Copyright Forum & Music Copyright Protection and Industry Development Forum 2012", the first thematic forum of 2012 Beijing Culture Expo, was held in Beijing on December 18. It was co-hosted by Beijing Municipal Bureau of Copyright and Recording Working Committee of China Audiovisual Association and supported by International Recording Industry Association, National Cultural Industry Research Center, China Audio-Video Copyright Collection Association and Beijing Internet Society.

Under a theme of "Respect, Innovation, Genuineness and Co-win", the forum was hosted by Deputy Director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Copyright Wang Yefei and joined by a famous composer Zhang Yadong and vice president of Duomi Music Company Feng Yousheng, to name a few. Zhang Yadong recalled the difficulties suffered by singers and composers in the digital age as well as exploration in musical creation process. The success achieved by digital music industry in internet field rekindled our creation passion.

Centering on cellphone, PC, PAD, internet HIFI speaker and smart TV, Duomi Music Company introduced its innovation in technology, product and business model. Representatives of International Recording Industry Association introduced the status and development of international online music. Video website letv.com shared its successful experience in charging legal internet films and videos.

Wang Yefei said in an interview the news that music website would charge online music downloads since January 1, 2013 aroused widespread concern. Copyright administration departments were conducting survey over this phenomenon.

The forum is special from three perspectives:

It differs from the traditional style by being organized by government and implemented by industry. Music copyright holders, recording companies and internet companies (music websites) got together to exchange views on new measures and approaches, with an aim to respect the benefits of right holders, encourage musical innovation, push forward online music authorization and realize industrial co-win.

Participants reached agreements on technology innovation, product innovation and business model innovation. It is expected digital music products will bloom next year with 1,000 digital music albums available to netizens.

The roll-out of Promoting Online Music Legalization Proposal is the first ever deal of its kind in online music industry. Music copyright holders, recording companies and internet companies (music websites) have become inseparable components in online music industry chain. 

It will play an active role in copyright protection, industrial innovation, piracy boycotting and co-win by holding such forums.

About 120 representatives from over 40 domestic and foreign recording companies, including Warner, Sony and Rolling Stone, 10 domestic internet companies and websites and 20 musicians as well as copyright service agencies participated in the forum.

(Source:IPR in China)